Current Mood : Purring

I kinda-sorta kept my promise to me today - I finished cutting up the clothes for new fabric, and spent several quality hours in the Lab. I also spent at least three hours on the sofa, snoozing. Had no idea I was so tired.

Dearest Son got to spend the night with his grandparents, and with an afternoon free, I sort of just lazed around. You'd think I'd sew like a freak, or set up endless play scenarios with photos, but mostly I watched old movies and loafed the day away.

Beloved Hubby thought that was a good way to spend the evening, so we RedBox rented The Simpsons Movie and Thank You For Smoking and hit the local grocer for chips and soda. What we got was chips, soda, and a cat.

He was lingering around the grocery's automatic door, waiting for an opportunity to go inside. But he was friendly, and trotted up eagerly for an ear scratch and some attention. We asked around the store staff, and found that he'd been lingering around for the last few days, and a few folks had fed him scraps, but he was there when they left at day's end, and there when they came back in the morning. I guess Christmas is busy for grocers, too.

Well, that was that. He was, as far as anyone could tell, homeless. And there was another snowstorm due tomorrow. Handsome, friendly cat, out in the snow. Not tolerable. He wasn't quite sure why we wanted to take him anywhere in Lightning Molly, and he ended up pulling down part of my car's window stripping, but once inside, he was more curious than combative.

And at the house, he seemed OK with the can of cat food and the sample of dry food I'd kept, and purred through most of his meal. He hid a bit after cleaning up every last speck and two bowls of water, but came out to use the litter box and introduce himself. He's a big kitty, white with black spots and white whiskers. Big yellow-green eyes. Purred when we petted him. We tossed around names - U-Turn, the name of the grocery store, Oreo - but in the end, "Domino" seemed to suit him best. He answered to it as well as any other name, which was, not at all, but he seemed to know we were addressing him and humored us. The ordeal tired him, so he curled up on some clean but unfolded laundry and slept for the rest of my night.

I'm tired, too, so I'm gonna go crash. Still, it's nice to have a cat around the house. He seems to favor me a bit, but then again, I'm the one who feeds everyone ! I can't help but think of him as an early holiday gift. The universe must like me !

Haven't taken his photo yet, as I wanted to keep things mellow for him on his first day or three here. Promise to have photos up on Monday, at the latest, though !

PS to Michelle - Thanks for the confidence ! Your words warm me up, too ! :D

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:13 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Contentedly joyful 

Now I know. I know why I give myself difficult deadlines and work like a driven madwoman. I know why I chase all over town for craft and party stuff, and why I volunteer for things no one else wants to do. I know why I've jumped through hoops I myself set on fire for the last three days.

It's for Tahler, who adored the snowflake craft, and did as many as she could lay hands on, because they were so beautiful, and she didn't know she could make beautiful things. It's for Mrs. P, Dearest Son's speech therapist, who was nearly in tears that someone remembered her, and appreciated all she did for one little boy. It's for the nice office staff, who praised my creativity to the stars and made me feel like one. It's for that warm, soft glow after it's all done - that exhausted euphoria that tells me I did well, and should feel good about myself, even though I complained and whined like a good old-fashioned mule throughout the whole thing.

And that's why I'll do it all again, whenever I'm needed. Mostly for the hug I got from Dearest Son, who said he loved his party, and watching him hang his snowflakes on the tree, saying "I think mine are pretty, too". Ladies, Gentlemen, and those of irregular birth, this is why I'll gladly do it all again - and hope to not growl and mutter so much next time.

I barely got it all done in time, but that's not important anymore. I had several extra pincushions, so I handed them out almost randomly, and to one person the office ladies said needed a lift.  We had lots of treats - three kinds of cookies, cupcakes, apple slices, candy canes, sweet holiday trail mix. By the time Dearest and I left, I was dying for potato chips ! Yup, everything we were fortunate enough to get was sweet. The kids were quite literally bouncing like Tigger on a sugar rush. For some reason, I ended up with most of the leftovers, so I'm well-stocked on candy canes, apple slices, and extra holiday-themed paper plates.

Few amusing asides. I bought little 2" x 3" baggies from the jewelry findings section of Mal-Wart, so I could make individual ‘servings' of glitter for the snowflakes. I felt so weird getting them, like I'd get arrested on suspicion of narcotics sales. Dearest saved all his leftover glitter in the sandwich baggie the snowflakes were packaged in, saying that it was ‘R2D2 powder'. I bet a certain action-figure robot's gonna be festively shiny in the near future.

We got home, and I literally crashed on the sofa for 2+ hours. Dearest was sitting on my hip, bouncing while playing on the Wii, and I barely stirred. A glorious nap. It definitely made the list of ‘Top Six Sleeps' during my lifespan. Beloved Hubby had a frustrating day, and has a super-busy tomorrow, so I had dinner ready ten minutes after he got home, and he was in bed two hours after that. With him sleeping, Dearest watching a Attack of the Clones, and no real interest in dishwashing, I headed to the studio and began cleaning up.

Had fabric scattered hither and yon, and craft supply boxes open and raided on top of it. Pulled the tote out to arrange stuff, and noticed how warm it was. Too close to the heating vent. Luckily, the 100 ‘anniversary edition' Crayola crayons inside weren't damaged, but the scent was strong, like a burned candle. Found them a new place, rearranged some supplies, found a place for the now-empty glitter and embossing powder cans I emptied for the snowflake project (we never have small containers when we need ‘em, until now), and the few new acquisitions.

The fabric took about an hour to sort out. Since it was everywhere, I also took the opportunity to go through all the ‘new' (i.e., been sitting around since October) material and get it stored. Whew, what a job ! The milk crates are packed full, the laundry basket of scraps and small pieces is just below brimming, and there's a pile of people clothes waiting to be rendered into fabric. That's fun, cutting stuff up for material, but I just don't have the energy tonight.

I'm going to work on the shoe pincushion directions probably around January - right now, I'm kind of tired of ‘em ! - and I'll be glad to send those out to whoever asks. I'd just put it on the website, but I've already found someone selling stuff and directions to stuff I offer free here. No way of telling if they've cribbed my pages, but it gives me pause before I do it again. I have seen a website that had basic measurements for about 30 fashion dolls, from Barbie to Elphie size. Later, I saw those same measurements offered for sale on eBay, and it was NOT the same person. I love sharing information, I love giving stuff away. But for some reason, it really burns me up when someone else makes money off my efforts. I'll be glad to get ‘em to you, but I may see about selling it to a craft magazine before I put it up for grabs on the site. Still gotta tweak it a bit more anyway.

Glad ya'll liked Ariel yesterday, and hope you'll like Cinderella today ! The family members I mentioned are doing OK, they're taking care of business, so to speak, and tomorrow, I get to help out as much as they'll let me. I've passed along your regards, and they thank you for your thoughtfulness. I thank you for letting me whine all week !

Tomorrow : Doll Time ! I owe it to me, and them !

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:59 PM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:13 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Happy, but exhausted and worried 

It's all over ! The Shoe Pincushion Event Horizon is complete ! All that remains is giving ‘em out at school tomorrow. Whew. Can't believe I did it. Took me fifteen hours over two days, but it's done and I'm happy. Only out-of-pocket costs were for the shoes (used discount coupons !) and sand (40lb sack of playground variety is literally dirt cheap at Mal-Wart) - and it averages out to 39c a shoe. It'd be more if it counted time and fabric, but heck, I was glad I have such a great stash so we didn't have to buy more supplies !

Now all I have to do tomorrow is package up the snowflake project for the party. Wheee. I'll certainly look festive, by the time I get all that glitter into those tiny little baggies. We got several ‘I'll send' notes in today, so it looks like it'll be a pretty good party. I hate that I get so bitter sometimes, but...

Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but some family members got really bad news today. Nothing life-threatening (which means it can be dealt with, at least), but definitely life-altering. They'll need our help, a lot and frequently, but luckily I don't have to radically alter tomorrow. I just hope everything will be all right, later.

Tomorrow we kind of get into what I call the Christmas ‘Danger Zone'. It's the 20^th, always a wake-up call for yer procrastinator shoppers. When days are single digits, there's plenty of time. In the teens, there's still at least a week between you and C-Day. But once the days dip into those that start in 2s - watch out ! People are tired and a bit cranky, and are kinda sick of spending money and draggin' out to stores again. I'm just glad I already have all we need, and I don't have to head out unless I need something that isn't a gift. Shoot, I went to Dollar Tree Monday, and my nearly $20. in stuff (mostly party goods) was dwarfed by serious shoppers - the nice lady in front of me bought $53. worth of goodies. Wow. Folks may be tired and worried, but spending and shopping's still fun, after all !

Anyway, there's the shoes. You can see the stack of matching gift bags, ready to go, on the left. I used every shoe I bought, and darn it, somebody's gonna take ‘em all, if I have to leave them at a bus stop. Hope you enjoyed today's Disney Princess - Michelle and Manda's favorite ! Here's some bonus fun with ‘em. Pick out where the line was. You know, where the sticker separates from the paper, so you can peel it up ? Yup, the last two and the next two have that, but the two after those don't. Yup - there's seven, not six. I forgot the image on the packaging. Gonna have to redraw part of the last one, but I think it's worth it.

And I need about twelve hours of sleep, not the six I'm gonna get. But I take it where and when I can get it, and try to catch up later. I owe me and my dolls some serious together time after Thursday, that's fer sure !

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:59 PM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:11 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Cranky but creative

Well, I put my foot to the floor on the Shoe Pincushion Event at 8:30 this morning, and didn't ease up on it until 10:30 tonight. Put about nine hours of solid work into it today. Had three patterns and three prototypes made by 9:30am, and finally got it right.

So I chose fabric, ironed it out, got ‘em all cut out and separated into ‘black thread' and ‘white thread' piles. I kinda figured I was a bit over my head with this project, and there'd be little time to change thread and make bobbins for every last one. I've never really done anything this big before, and I can tell ya, it got boring fast. Sewing the same thing 24 times (plus the three prototypes) in a day isn't much fun.

I got some practice, though, in lining fabric up, keeping it ‘on the line', and pattern drafting. And it was fun to go through the stash and see what I have, and choose some good stuff I've used before and stuff I've not touched beyond storing it. I'm just frustrated that my estimate of a half hour to make each one is off, ‘cause it'll probably take longer than three hours to finish tomorrow.

Since a shoe pincushion is rather hard to wrap, I also cut out and sewed little matching drawstring bags. Even if no one likes the shoe, they can always use a small cloth bag for something. Anyway, I got to work and barely looked up until the last bag and tube was sewn. Whoo. All that's left for tomorrow is filling the tubes with sand, shaping them, and gluing them into the shoe, adding a silk rose or bow, and running white ribbon through the bags. I have a feeling it's gonna take a while...

Still, it's hard to believe I got patterns and all the sewing done in one day. All that's left is assembly and packaging ! I'm allowing all day for that tomorrow. Finished the snack bags for Dearest Son's busdriver and monitor today, too - they really appreciated them, although they weren't much. Cloth bag - I made that ! - with some Swiss Miss envelopes, a Christmas Tree snack cake, two candy canes, and a chocolate penguin. Wish it could be more, but the cash just ain't there to spend.

Thursday's Dearest Son's school party, and we have three people volunteering to send stuff. (sigh) I'll be taking Thursday morning to assemble the fun foam snowflakes they'll be decorating as a craft activity. It's gonna be so much fun, loading up little baggies with glitter ! I'm actively pushing ‘you know, kids, you can take this little project home with you...', because I just don't think there's time. Party is, again, only 45 minutes long.

Of course, by the time the party rolls around, it's doubtful I'll feel very festive - or even awake ! I can't help but feel the other mother is disappointed that we don't have themes or even more cooperation, but I just don't have time for more. Even she doesn't have time for what she wants. It's a kids party for less than an hour. Let ‘em run around with Kool-ade and potato chips, and they're happy.

I know, I know. I'm trying to justify not doing more, but sheesh. I'm already tired and it's only Monday ! At least I'm doing something - which is more than most of the class' parents are.

I am sooooo getting a doll when this is all over and we have a few bucks...

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:12 AM CDT

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Current Mood : busy and slightly worried I won't get it all done in time.

Spent on dolls today : $3.22 

You probably won't hear much from me this week, doll-wise. Between Dearest Son's school party, making 24 shoe pincushions and two bus-driver treat sacks, counting folders, and general runnin' around, there just won't be much me time. Which means, not much doll-time either. ‘Tis the season, and all that.

But it won't be so bad. Honestly, I'm about sick of that blue stars-and-crescent-moons pajama top fabric right now anyway. And as far as festivities go, nearly all mine are all over Thursday afternoon. I've already done my party ($12. so far) and giftcraft shopping, so it's just down to getting it done, which'll take most of Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Friday, I get to goof off and do whatever, because I'll be spending most of the weekend cleaning. Family Christmas is at Chez Insanity this year, so I'll float a sprig of ivy in the toilet tanks and glitter up the cobwebs. Maybe attach a bit of mistletoe to the Wii. If they're lucky, I may actually clean something. Not sure what the menu is yet, but if I know Beloved Hubby, it'll probably involve a ham. And if I know DFIL, I'd best be prepared to devil some eggs.

Had a nice workout this morning, dragging tree limbs into one spot of the front yard. Pickup isn't until Friday, so I'd as soon leave ‘em inside the fence and away from traffic ‘til then. Some I can't lift, and others are still attached to the tree by a few splinters, but I felt good getting it done so Beloved doesn't have to. And I needed to get my butt and blood moving.

Also felt good to donate six darn close to new dolls to the Center this morning. Four My Scenes, one Fashion Fever, and one Chat Diva. Yup, I thought long and hard about that one, but I came to the realization that what I wanted and what I got were two different things, and the gap was too wide for an ‘oh, well'. Not one feature advertised on the packaging worked well. It was a lousy MP3 interface and the "doll ‘sings' along" feature was grossly misrepresented and over-stated. I didn't play with her. I was a bit angry because Mattel duped me again, and ended up hating the doll. I redressed CD Teresa in something that would allow her to function on the serial port interface/stand, and packaged the whole thing together - even the manual and a cell phone. Batteries still work, too. They were happy to see such a variety of dolls, and said they'd find either good homes with the resident kids, or see lots of play in Therapy studios. Awesome !

Managed to spend a few bucks for m'self, too. Dollar Tree, natch. Found a crystal cat and a crystal champagne bottle that'll fit in Elphie's curio and liquor cabinet. Yeah, Elphie already has lots of décor and quite a few bottles of booze, but that champagne was cool ! And, truth be told, I kinda wanted the cat for myself. But if it works for my dolls, it's a double score ! They're in tiny black and white boxes in with the other sculptures and knick-knacks. They even had more of that sewing machine statuette I bought months ago - I may take Elphie back there, see if she fits the typewriter they also had. Plus I found a glass dish that looks like beads of water on a slightly curved surface, and somehow, I'll work that into a photo somewhere ! Such pretty things...

While digging in the Barbie Stuff storage bins - was lookin' for a cell phone for CD Teresa - I found the wire Christmas tree I bought last year. Pulled that out and realized that I have a lot of space still in those bins. Managed to squeeze in all the stuff I've purchased at various flea markets in the last couple of months in there, freeing up a laundry basket and a bit of space in the Lab. Between that and donating the dolls, I'll probably soon have enough space for that huge pink Rolls-Royce I bought a few weeks ago ! I can almost walk in there now.

Spent the downtime between a late lunch and waiting for the bus to bring Dearest home by vigorously applying Goof-Off to a gold and clear plastic zippered tote bag. Few months ago, I bought it at GoodWill, mostly due to a pair of green Mary Jane-style Teen Skipper shoes. Several Chez Insanity dolls can wear those. There were also a few other interesting bits and bobs inside - it's how I found out Lila can wear Bratz shoes - but part of why I shelled out the $2. for it was the bag. I can always use small to medium bags for various doll clothes and pieces, and this one was nice. It was a Classics Bath Beauty Kit bag - there's a half-decent photo on eBay auction #9511871765 of a full one -  and it was a good size for misc. stuff. It's about the size of one of those clear purses a big dept. store in a mall gives you when you come to work for ‘em. Yeah, it's insulting because it's an instant accusation of shoplifting, but you choke it down ‘cause you wanna work there.

Only problem was, the bag was taped to within an inch of impenetrability. Once I bought it, getting the stuff out was a challenge on par with getting a mid-90s collector Barbie out of its Mattel-secured prison. I'm amazed that I could even see the shoes, there was that much tape on it. Not just over the zipper, but across the zipper and around the bag twice going one way, and twice the other. They must've used six yards of packing tape. Maybe I was supposed to ditch the bag, but I liked it. Still, that much tape was silly. It's not like the Barbie doll shoe market is so cutthroat that theft is a real concern. At least now, the tacky tape residue's off, and it even removed the logo and writing. I can use it - once it airs out a bit. Goof-Off really stinks.

Well, I promised myself that, if I was still gonna make gifts this week, I'd get the living room cleaned at least. Life seems much better when junk isn't clumped up like dead leaf piles in every corner in there. While waiting on the bus this afternoon, I swept off the front porch and walkway. Tomorrow, I'm gonna wonder why I'm so tired and my arms hurt !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:11 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Happy and busy - the way I like life.

Current Image Notes : This is from National Doll World magazine, October 1977. I always liked this cartoon - not just due to it's ‘we all started with just one' humor. I love that the solo doll in question looks a lot like Princess Leia ! She's the one who started ‘it all' for me. :)

Today began with an unpleasant surprise - our power was out again ! Arrrgh ! But at least I learned something last week, and immediately got busy with something that'd take my attention away from being cheesed. I started organizing doll clothes that've been sitting around here for months, and going through all the Barbie clothes. That takes serious time ! I try to do that once a year too, see what needs repair or laundering, or what I know my dolls will never use.

There's also six dolls going to the Center this week, and I didn't want to send them nude with nothin'. So I got busy, dressed them all in mostly Mattel clothes with more to send along, and stored the stuff that's been cluttering up the Lab. That felt good. I have a bad tendency to glom onto whatever crosses my path, and it takes a real effort for me to not justify keeping the fuchsia Capri pants with the yellow flowers - it's mine ! Even when I know I don't really like it, so my dolls won't ever wear it. I really have to push myself to go through it all and give some back, which is kinda shameful, ‘cause I'm 41 ! A rather selfish 41, I might add. Now all the dolls need are shoes and some props, and they can be happy in new homes tomorrow !

Second thing I learned was that I'd always regret not doing something. There was wet laundry in the washer and the shower I hadn't taken yet, piles of weekend dishes and the world's messiest living room to clean up - but without power, it was questionable when all this stuff would get done. So, I needed to start getting stuff done. Fewer regrets = less frustration, anger, and upset. Since it was a bright pretty day (dunno what's with the power - it's not like more ice or wind snapped a wire, it's 50 degrees outside), there was enough light to do the fun stuff. Once that was out of the way, I could work on less-fun things. Long as I was busy, I wouldn't be so wired and upset.

About two hours after it winked off, the power was back. Alleluia ! I'd just finished putting the last of the Barbie clothes away. I was pleased and proud of me for getting it done and not getting upset, and the day went pretty well. Since I didn't let it get to me, nobody else did either, so it was a good day all around. I forget how much my behavior can influence others'. Right after breakfast, I got the new sewing photo up on the Home page, and moved Jem and Rio to the Barbie one. I really gotta get going on Han's shirt already !

But I didn't sew today. I did dishes and laundry and slept. No, I didn't get nearly everything done, and if the power cuts out again, I'd have some laundry and living room regrets. But it's nowhere near what it would have been. I'm sure I'll have to be reminded of these little lessons - especially about the ‘do it now !' one - fairly frequently, but I'm pleased with me right now.

Stay tuned - coming up, it's Disney Princess Christmas images, freshly scanned from a package of holiday gift tags I found at Dollar General. Two identical sheets for a buck. I'm erasing the unnecessary bits and putting up just the Princess part for ya. There's six of these, starting with Belle tomorrow, that you can save, cut/paste, and print, use on your own site or whatevah. Never say I don't do nothin' for ya !

After that, I'm gonna use something else I got from the ice storm. While bored and restless, I found two nearly-vintage ‘Hints From Heloise' desk calendars in our bookshelves. I'd gotten them in a box of books from a yard sale some time ago,  and promptly forgot about ‘em. I'll be scanning some of the images and adding my own wry twists, and those start just in time for the annual pre- and post-holiday malaise.

Posted by dorriebelle at 8:26 PM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:10 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Pretty darn happy !  

Busy, busy day at Chez Insanity - even though we didn't have to do a darn thing ! It snowed, just a bit, just enough to see the flakes swirling in the 15mph winds that are so common here, it's called a light breeze. A dust mote wafted down as I was watching out the window, and for just a second, I thought a snowflake had come to visit. I really am a lousy housekeeper.

Last night, I increased the pattern 130%, got a printout, and Fray-Checked the soon-to-be dress you see on Abbie - whoops ! In all the writing yesterday, I never told you the Tyco Ariel's name, much less the Mattel Ariel's names. Can't have three Ariels running around...actually, I have six Ariels of different sizes, manufacturers, and ages ! Well, starting from left to right in the current picture, Abigail (Abbie)'s first, with Arienne in the middle, with Adelaide (Addy) at the end. Abbie and Addy aren't identical twins - there are distinct differences between them, mostly around their eyes. Addy's your wilder child, Abbie is more innocent-natured. Outdoorsy Arienne just tries to keep up with her big sisters, which isn't easy !

Anyway. Abbie got the more or less straight version of the pattern, increased 130%. I could probably do this pattern with a non-stretch fabric, as it's kind of big and shapeless without the scrap-ribbon belt. I liked the way the collar angled at the shoulders in the original photo, but even gathering it a bit didn't shape it in my version. I even paid closer attention to the collar directions than I did with Arienne's first trial. Still, it looks nice, and fits just about all my dolls, so I'm happy.

You already know about Arienne's dress, so moving on - Addy's is actually two separates. Using the same pattern, I took an inch off the sleeves and an inch and a half off the hem to make a high-hip length blouse, and hemmed the top instead of applying the collar. Since I had some trouble with keeping the sleeve seam allowance constant on the other two tries, I measured and drew it on with pencil, on the wrong side. Much easier to follow pencil marks than try to figure it out while sewing. Fit's better, too.

The skirt was a test for me - could I make a simple skirt with no pattern, that didn't use elastic ? Yup ! Simply measured Addy's waist (3.5 inches), added a half inch for seam allowance, and cut a strip of the pajama top's hem 4 inches long for the waistband. It was already stitched and hemmed, so less work for me ! If I had to do it again, though, I'd have made it 4 ¼ inches long, to have more of a foldover for the back closure. The skirt fabric was a sleeve, hemmed and gathered and sewn to the waistband.

I wasn't really watching my time on the other two efforts, but Addy's blouse took about an hour, start to finish, and her skirt was about 45 minutes, mostly because I forgot to Fray-Check it until it was about 1/3 done. I've used well over half of my second bottle of F-C - my first bottle took me about five years to use ! But now that I know how useful it is, I use it on just about everything I sew. It's a pain, but I'm so fast at F-C now, I have to go do something for a few minutes so it can dry. Used to be, it took me so long, one side would be dry before I finished F-C'ing the second ! I look at some of my earliest efforts and cringe - so much of my stuff has frayed and looks bad on the inside. And I hate it when my doll's fingers catch loose threads and frays while I'm dressing them. No more of that anymore !

I'll post a photo of this to Doll Divas, so DebbieFS can lament what I've done to her pattern ! But you always see the new stuff here first, it's the way I roll. For a 50c pajama top, I sure got a lot - and most of the fabric's still waiting for more sewing ! I detached the tiny black bow on the top's front, and added it to the bag ‘o bows in the lace, ribbon, and trim tote box. Also stored some stuff I had sitting around, and consolidated the stuff that needs to go to the Center - some dolls need dressing and shoes and props before they go. Just gotta get off my rump and do it !

Hmm. Wonder if Han would like a starry blue shirt... I still have to work on his pattern, and the sewing machine's all set up for knits...

Ps to Michelle and Manda - I see I'm not the only Ariel fan ‘round here ! Hope today's picture pleased ya ! I think Abby is 1998's ‘Valentine Ariel', as one of these girls was wearin' that swimsuit (no fin, sadly) when I found her at the thrift store, I just can't remember which one. Not sure who Addy was, but some quick Google research shows she looks most like ‘Seaside Holiday', from 2000. Since I got them both around 2001-02, that'd be about when they might hit a thrift store.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:10 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Slightly perturbed and eager to go sew some more ! 

Spent on dolls/sewing today : $1.48

Got to do a little shopping and a little sewing today ! Replaced the storm damaged or eaten up groceries, with a few little treats besides. And I got my prescriptions - Beloved Hubby said that was a big load off his mind. I got to talk to some folks in line at the pick-up window - still lots of people without power. Mal-Wart had storm supplies stocked and waiting, but no lamp oil. I poked around the dolls and fabric sections, but didn't find anything but the D-rings Beloved needed for his new AirSoft gun. They're about half as much there than they are at Hancock Fabrics.

The community thrift store had lots of dolls, but nothing I really liked. Found some bright orange felt for 29c, a magnetic paper-clip holder/pen cup combo for 49c, and a blue knit pajama top with moons and stars for 50c. I can always use felt, and the pen holder could replace an old cup (from the L & L scavenge, nearly two years ago now) and the magnet dish I use for pins (I glued fridge magnet bits to the bottom of a small, old saucer) on my sewing table.

The pajama top I thought had doll clothes possibilities. I wanted to try that stretchy dress pattern I downloaded from Doll Divas (http://members.boardhost.com/DollDivas/msg/archive/1196456007.html ) last week, because I was curious if my understanding of the sleeve seams was correct. This top was a stretchy knit....Ummm...well, much as I like the fabric, it must not have been stretchy enough. Printed as downloaded, it only fit my Tyco Ariel, who has a pre-teen Skipper type body. She's only about nine inches tall without her mermaid fin - with, she's closer to 11 inches in height. Found her in a thrift store in about 2001, lost in a Barbie dress.

Tyco got bought out by Mattel in 1997, nearly ten years after the first ‘strawberry blonde' Ariel went on shelves - and was quickly replaced with a more film-accurate tressed version. Those are semi-collectable, but not much. The face is much more ‘blah', bland and not as vivid as the movie character or the 2.0 doll. It seems between the unremarkable face and the washed-out lookin' hair, nobody really wants the original one, except mint-in-box to complete a collection. Not sure if Mattel had to renegotiate with Disney to make their taller Ariel dolls, or if the right came with the purchase of the company, but they have the current Disney Princess vinyl fashion doll lines pretty much sewn up.

It's also worthy of note that, in 1989, Tyco purchased the Ideal/View Master group. In 1992, they purchased Matchbox, maker of tiny cars and Robotech dolls. And then Mattel bought them five years later - and got all those revered toy lines, names, and technology.

Anyway. It could be the pattern didn't print at the right size. There's no seam allowance marks on the pattern, no ‘this line is one inch long' key on the source. So, time permitting, I'm gonna try it again, increased 30% this time. At least it'll be longer ! While it wouldn't close on a standard Barbie body, it fit elsewise - as a blouse ! Didn't even cover the molded-on panties. Yikes !

Ps to Monika - Hey, hon ! I still owe you a letter...but my sewing machine's singing its siren song ! I can barely eat and type right now, for hearing it and wanting to go try Doll Divas Dress 2.0 ! Beloved agrees with every word you wrote, about those harridans at Book Fair. I'm considering making a small beanie-baby size insect, and calling it my ‘slug bug'. It'll reside in my purse until I need to whack somebody ! (lol) Or I could hand out ‘clue by four' stickers to victims I'd rather apply the real thing to...

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:07 PM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:10 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Lazy and lounging

Spent on dolls today - $2.14

As you can see, Elphie's made a cuddly new friend ! Shinobu, her best friend (she made those cool pink PJs !) also volunteers at an animal shelter. While it's more common for bunnies to be in need of new homes in the spring, ‘Alfred' was a special case. He was found by another volunteer tracking a stray dog, shivering in an outdoor pen, with no real warm shelter and little food. And a stray dog barking and digging at him. The family inside the home didn't notice the commotion, and didn't protest when the rescue unit responded with bolt cutters to free him. He was soon a favorite at the shelter, having a people sociable nature - rare with rabbits - and evidencing no interest in phone or power cords, rarer still.

But he needed a home, not a shelter. Shinobu's cats loved Alfred - as a snack !- so that was right out. She'd tucked him in her cozy sewing room when Elphie came by for their annual Christmas Shopping Insanity Tour. Of course, Shinobu eagerly introduced their weekend visitor...and it was love at first sight between mini lop and lovely Elphie. The Insanity Tour was brief this year - because it only went as far as a shelter-friendly pet shop. Then it was straight back home for Elphie and Alfred. Wonder how Fiyero's gonna take this new guy in her life !

"Alfred" is, of course, a $1.99 plastic miniature. He's sold in Atwood's farm supply stores, and the same manufacturer - Schleich - stocks similar animals at Target. There were three different rabbit figures, but I liked the ears and coloring on this the best. I figured it was time Elphie had a pet, and a bunny would suit her well. Of course, rabbits are destructive little bundles, but they can be house-trained and very, very sweet. Beloved Hubby was hoping I'd get El a pet squirrel, but the only domestic squirrel I ever knew was Blaine's in high school, and he was kind of mean. The squirrel, I mean - Blaine was rather nice to me.

Dearest Son got an early weekend with his grandparents, so Beloved and I got the never-worked propane heater repacked and returned. Since we didn't want another one, we got store credit, so Beloved got the AirSoft gun he wanted. It looks a lot like my old M-16 ! We also found a space-themed VW Beetle toy for Dearest's stocking, and a couple of oil lanterns - snow's expected this weekend. And a cute little bunny for Elphie !

Tomorrow, I get to go on a thrift store run - I haven't been out since we found the new Han doll. We need a few groceries to replace what little we lost due to the power outage. We tried to eat up most of it, so we only lost about $10. or so. And I have to pick up my prescriptions, although I don't need ‘em for another week. Beloved wants to get ‘em while we got the cash, and I don't blame him. Things can get crappy fast, as we've learned recently.

Suffering is always a waste if it doesn't teach ya something. And I don't like waste or suffering, so I try to make the unavoidable work for us. Now, if I could just get back on the stick and finish the dishes and sew again, instead of just sittin' around !

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:09 AM CDT

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Current Mood : Overjoyed ! 

Spent on dolls yesterday : $19.41

Current Image note : This is the last of the 'Cabana Cool Barbie' fabric series !

Aaaahhh, sweet, sweet electricity and water ! These came back to us today, about 10pm, so while I'm sorry this is late, I spent hours rejoicing in the tiny ‘clink' of the heater, the late night toilet gurgle, and the fact that I could actually read something and sleep in a nightshirt in my own darn bed ! Plus I found my cell phone, lost since Monday. Things returned are the greatest gifts of all... thanks for all your white-light thoughts and prayers !

It's sad, though, to see all the beautiful trees split to the earth, boughs littering the streets. I've driven under so many of those branches a few thousand times, they were almost like nodding acquaintances. So seeing this ‘tree Armageddon' as we drove into town for a bit nearly had me in tears. And we passed many still-dark homes, which was just as sobering. I'm happy that we have our stuff back, but I hope and send my own wishes to those who haven't been so lucky.

That said, I still danced around the house sans pants tonight, because I could. When our power went out early Monday morning, we figured it'd be back soon, so we sealed the freezer part of the fridge shut, and put the regular fridge stuff outside. Then we opened all the window blinds and lounged around the living room. Three squirrels - one red, two grey - searched for the pecans they buried earlier amid the shattered limbs, and birds picked around the bits they left behind. They were fun to watch, but I wondered how they didn't freeze their feet and tails off, as it was sleeting off and on.

After a few hours and the hopeful flickers of power died off, we took stock of the situation. Gas worked, but the furnace needs electricity. So does the regular telephone, the propane space heater, and the stove ignition. We had water for a while - but the pump is also electric. We slept a lot. At night, we lit candles, and bunked together on the pit-group sofa. Tuesday, we were using the gas stove to heat the house - chancy and seldom, since the gas didn't have a vent - but with Dearest Son sleeping so much, we threw in the towel. The new propane heater we bought that afternoon didn't ignite, and we were contemplating a hotel. But Great Grandmother (my Beloved Hubby's gramma) and Uncle's power came on, so they invited us to roost on the pullout sofa. So we packed up the snack food, the Wii, some clothes and towels, and headed over.

Uncle, my cool Brother-In-Law, and Beloved were still up at 3am, showing each other choice bits on YouTube and tellin' stories, with occasional forays into Wii Sports and Lego Star Wars. Beloved bought me the latest issue of Haute Doll and an inexpensive used hardback copy of The Story of Barbie, by Titturah Westenhouser. I tried to read ‘em, but ended up sound asleep with the book still in my hands ! Dearest enjoyed the Lego Stormtrooper set Beloved bought, too - I rolled over two of ‘em that night ! Darn sharp little laser pistols !

It was so sweet of everyone to host us, but there's nothing like your own place, so we couldn't wait to get back. You should have heard us when we saw the stoplight flashing on the corner - you'd have thought we won a lottery ! Found out that Dearest doesn't go back to school ‘til Monday, so we spent the short night hours watching the formerly useless DVDs and enjoying fresh popcorn...and heat !

We'll have to return the never-worked propane heater tomorrow - hopefully in a week or three, we can find the one we wanted to buy, instead of the only one the store had. I'm also gonna make darn sure to have at least three gallon jugs of water and a flat of bottled drinking water ready to go at all times. Preferably more. If we don't learn something from all this, then it's wasted, so maybe we needed a bit of a wake-up call. I just hope that everyone has their power back tomorrow.

I like to hope for things, even when I know it won't happen like I'd wish it to.

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 11:09 AM CDT

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